Ifi Audio Gemini3.0

Normal USB cables are not optimised for the highest quality audio.

The Gemini3.0 separates the audio and power cables to give you high-quality interference free audio.

Two. Deux. Zwei.

Whatever language you listen to music in, we know you prefer it as intererfence free as possible. You need the Gemini3.0 dual-headed cable.

In most mass-produced USB cables, the signal and power cables are normally compacted together. This means two things – poor conductivity and they are not protected from one another.

This leads to interference and degrades quality.

Ifi Audio Gemini3.0

Degrees of separation

The Gemini3.0 cable carries the audio signal and power in two separate cables.

This separates the delicate USB data signal from the USB power.

No interference and sound quality remains unaffected.

Superior design. Better signal. Strong shielding.

We strictly adhere to the usb.org specifications. A key factor that is often overlooked is sticking to the 90 ohms impedance. This is achieved using the following exhaustive methods.

We use heavy OFHC continuous copper silver matrix conductors for the best possible signal transfer. The cable construction is a custom minimum inductance parallel type with dual shielding. This protects the cable from RFI and EMI noise and provides the cleanest transfer medium possible.

With the machined FINAL connectors and atypical RF3 filter designs, the iFi Gemini3.0 sets a whole new sonic benchmark for computer audio transmission.

Ifi Audio Gemini3.0

The golden touch

The signal runs through the cable and the connector. This means the connector too must be exceptional.

Most USB cables use moulded plastic covered connections that do not shield the high frequencies present in the USB data link. Noise radiates out. Very few make their own connectors and rely on off-the-shelf components. These often lack durability.

Our FINAL USB connectors provide impeccable end-to-end RF shielding. They are machined entirely from solid, aircraft-grade aluminium. Plus their gold-plated connections make for years of steadfast service.

Two heads are better than one.

The power cable is heavier gauge than often found in standard USB cables. And signal and ground have their own respective geometry for optimal conductivity.

There are dual-headed designs and then there is the Gemini3.0 dual headed design. Nothing comes close.

usb.org

The USB protocol is outlined in a technical paper on the usb.org website.

We have pored over this paper to ensure that we have closely followed the tight tolerances/specifications. For example, a major specification is adhering to 90ohms impedance.

All iFi cables have been designed with this in mind.

RFI (Radio-frequency interference)

Radio-frequency interference (RFI) is very similar to electromagnetic interference (EMI) but is found in the radio frequency spectrum. It is another source of irritatiing, unwanted noise often talked about as an ‘audio gremlin’.

Top tip: just don’t add water.

EMI (Electromagnetic Interference)

EMI is a type of interference caused by errant and unwanted electromagnetic waves that are received and amplified by an audio system. They cause some of the annoying ‘audio gremlins’ we often talk about.

Most standard USB cables do not address RF issues and are fitted with filters that work over too narrow a range and are only fitted at the ends of the cables, leaving the length of the cable to act as an antennae.

iFi’s three custom-made metal oxide ceramic filters have a different effective range to broaden the range over which RF noise is silenced. The middle silencer is adjustable and can be moved along the whole length of the cable. This then “detunes” the antennae formed by the cable. The other two silencers should be kept as close to each respective end as possible.

Few manufacturers make their own final connectors.

Most USB cables use moulded plastic covered connections that do not shield the high frequencies present in the USB data link. Noise leaks out and durability is compromised.

Our iFi FINAL USB connectors provide impeccable end-to-end RF shielding, being machined entirely from solid, aircraft-grade aluminium. Plus gold-plated connections make for years of steadfast service.

USB3.0’s ultra-speed bandwidth of 5.0Gbps offers an incredibly wide bandwidth, 10x that of USB2.0’s 480Mbps.

With generic mass-produced USB cables, the data and power cables are normally packed together. This means that they do not conduct as well as they should and they are not sufficiently shielded from each other. This has a negative impact on USB signal integrity and degrades sound quality.

Our quadruple shielding fully separates and protects the delicate USB data signal from the power. This protects the cable from RFI and EMI noise to provide the cleanest transfer medium possible.

Retailer

Apos Inc.

California
Distributor

iFi audio USA (West Coast)

California
Retailer

ListenUp

Colorado
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ListenUp

Colorado
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ListenUp

Colorado
Retailer

Music Direct

Illinois
Retailer

Gramophone

Maryland
Retailer

Gramophone

Maryland
Retailer

Gramophone

Maryland
Retailer

Gramophone

Maryland
Retailer

Gramophone

Maryland
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Audio Advisor

Michigan
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Bloom Audio

New Jersey
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High Definition Tape Transfers

New Jersey
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ListenUp

New Mexico
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Turntable Lab NY Storefront

New York
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Audio 46

New York
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Moon Audio

North Carolina
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AudioAdvice

North Carolina
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AudioAdvice

North Carolina
Retailer

Headphones.com

Oregon
Retailer

World Wide Stereo

Pennsylvania
Retailer

World Wide Stereo

Pennsylvania
Retailer

HIDEF Lifestyle

Pennsylvania
Distributor

iFi audio USA (East Coast)

Virginia
Retailer

USA-Audio Exchange

Virginia

This product is currently out of stock and unavailable.

USB3 Data
ConstructionMinimum inductance parallel construction
Conductors24 and 28AWG
Conductor materialHeavy OFHC continuous cast copper silver matrix
InsulationHD Polyethylene
ShieldingQuadruple-shields
Impedance90Ohms
AC spark insulation1500V
ConnectorsiFi ‘FINAL’ USB connectors
Insulation resistance100Mohm
Tensile strength1500PSI
USB3 (Power)
ConstructionMinimum inductance parallel construction
Conductors12AWG
Conductor materialHeavy OFHC continuous cast copper
InsulationLinear Polyethelyne (LPE) insulation
Current Rating30A
Lengths/Weights0.7m / 150g (0.33 lbs)
1.5m / 170g (0.37 lbs)
Warranty period12 months

PICTURE SUNDAY: IFI AUDIO GEMINI & MERCURY

Believe it or not, I’ve never seriously tried different USB cables. It wasn’t a topic I was interested in. Sure, I saw and tried some of them, but I’ve never critically compared them. They were just random cables that I’ve come accross when I was trying out a friend’s audio rig.

When iFi Audio offered me their new USB cables, the Gemini & Mercury I was intrigued but I was also skeptical about the topic. I have many fellow audiophiles who claim that USB cables make a difference, yet some others claim it’s a placebo effect. I don’t think this argument will ever end, and I personally will stay away from it in terms of technical subjects. When I try and test any audiophile product, I trust my ears only, and I again did so for this article…

Headfonia

(Click name to read original review)

Amazing!

Bought iFi’s Gemini3.0 to sort out my signal problems for my DACs. It has definitely done the job, the cable itself is very sturdy and very good quality.

I never thought about splitting the power and data before and after trying this I wouldn’t do it any other way, it’s cleaned up the audio by eliminating interference from the power lines. I am very impressed.

Amazon

(Click name to read original review)

Overview of iFi Audio accessories and filters – does filtering matter?

This article was born in my head a long time ago, mainly due to repeated questions from time to time, whether I had contact with filtering devices like iSilencer, Jitterbug etc. But since I run my humble blog, I’ve probably got used to most people to a few maxims, which I am guided in total not only in the field of audio equipment, but generally in life…

AUDIOFANATYK

(Click name to read original review)

Gemini3.0 – A significant upgrade from the previous Gemini

This is an audio cable…not a printer cable. Good news, I suppose, since it’s more expensive than most printers! But what makes an audio USB cable different from a printer cable? It’s a fair question to ask before spending this kind of money.

The USB specification states, “To achieve reliable signaling at this rate, the cable is terminat”.

David S

(Click name to read original review)